Life at the bottom of the hill

In all my years involved in cricket I don't think I have ever seen an international cricketer of long-standing and considerable achievement have his career at the top level terminated so ruthlessly, in the middle of a series as well, as Matthew Hoggard, writes Mike Selvey in the Guardian.

But now he has a new challenge. Last week he agreed a three-year contract with Leicestershire, as captain. In so doing he goes from the top of the hill, with England, to the bottom. He will go with optimism that he will be the one to make a difference. On one level, he can be the kid in the sweetshop, bowling when he feels like it (which will be mostly), to the fields he wants. No one will be in his ear.